John Alexander m. Catharine Ash, NC 1856

I'm searching for the parents of my great grandfather, John Alexander, born c1834 in what is now Jackson Co. NC and died in Pelzer SC 1910.He was married to Catharine Ash(e) on Feb 23 1856.Family sources suggest that John's parents were not married and that he took the surname of his mother. The same source suggests the surname of his father may have been Allison.My earliest census report on him is 1860 when he was said to be age 26.He served in Co. B, 25th Regiment (known as the Jackson Guards) of the Confederate Army from May 1861 - May 1862.Any help would be most greately appreciated.Thanks